~ "For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus" (Rev.19:10)

The Reign of Terror

Why terrorism and terrorists groups? Why not Muslim nations crushing the Jews or Christians and spreading Islam through conventional warfare? Easy answer: Because they’ve tried that tactic and failed. They can’t defeat Israel and certainly not the United States or the European Union with their military. Thus, the militant among them resort to guerilla warfare through killing of innocent civilians.

But that is not to say that Islamic authorities sit idly by while the radical among them pursue Jihad (Muslim holy war). Some Muslim regimes are fighting to stay in power, and all Muslim governments are chasing the contemporary strategy of condemning and censuring Jews (especially Israel itself) and select Christian groups through Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions, with deceitful lies that make their people the victims and Jews and Christians the villains. In that regard, the scheme is rather old: If you tell a lie loud enough and long enough (especially through today’s media), many will believe it.

In fact, this devious strategy is actually found in the Koran; which offers Muslims the right to lie to the whole world if lying will aid in defeat of their enemies. It gives a whole new meaning to: The end justifies the means.

Since the United Nations passed a resolution in November, 1947 admitting Israel to the family of nations, then later recognized Israel’s declaration of statehood on May 14, 1948, Israel has fought three major wars against a coalition of Arab nations. Each of these wars resulted in a resounding Israeli victory and all three triumphs were considered by even the most objective military experts as astounding, if not miraculous. Israel prevailed against all odds.

On May 15, 1948, the day after Israel became a sovereign state, five Arab nations led by Syria and Egypt attacked with armies that vastly outnumbered and outgunned the hastily assembled, rag-tag Jewish army. National leaders the world over, including US President Harry Truman, gave the Jews no chance whatsoever of winning; Israel would die a national death within days or weeks after its rebirth. Instead, it was the Arabs who were soundly defeated in Israel’s War of Independence. Even hardened Israeli officers and soldiers, some of whom had abandoned the notion that God any longer cared about Israel’s destiny, attributed the victory to divine intervention. The miracle of this victory was transparently obvious: there’s absolutely no way that Israel could have or should have won that war. Perhaps God was on their side after all.

The Six-Day War in June, 1967 was equally stunning. Not because Israel didn’t have (by that time) a much stronger military than in 1948; but because of the sheer brilliance of the Israeli Defense Force’s strategy and execution of those plans. Which accomplished a feat that has never in military history been achieved: A massive rout of an enemy that was still much stronger (on paper) in men and material in only six days! Strong evidence that God was on their side.

Finally, the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Because the Arab nations struck without warning on one of Israel’s high holy days (Day of Atonement), they caught Israel woefully unprepared. It was the bloodiest war with, by far, the highest casualties on both sides. Yet, Israel’s victory was no less miraculous for the very reason that such a sudden attack from an enemy that still boasted a clear military superiority should have by all rights defeated a foe that was caught completely off guard. It would be similar to the United States rebounding in a short time and actually defeating the Japanese at Pearl Harbor or soon afterward; rather than taking another four years to finally conquer Japan. There’s no doubt that God was on Israel’s side!

Which is why the more recent Israeli (minor) wars have been fought against terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah in Syria or Hamas in Gaza. Likewise with factional Muslim armies in Iraq and Afghanistan trying to defeat US led coalition troops via head-on open battle-line warfare. It won’t work.

Iran is one Muslim nation that is coming close to direct confrontation with Israel and the West by their sneaky, underhanded efforts to build a nuclear weapon. Do you think US and EU sanctions against Iran are working or will eventually make a difference by deterring Iran’s resolve? That is as close as you’ll get to a rhetorical question.

Muslims Short on Patience

For centuries followers of Islam were well-known for their patience. Although the Muslims in general and Arabs in particular have lost more battles and wars than they have won, normally they have taken their losses in stride and reverted to their long-term objective that eventually Islam will prevail. Their mindset is that setbacks are only temporary. Inevitably they will win back the territories lost to the infidel … such as Spain, once conquered and controlled by the Moors; or seizing what they still insist on calling Palestine.

But no longer do we see such patience or the willingness to wait any longer than they think necessary to accomplish their clearly stated goals. They are growing tired of waiting for Israel and Western nations to weaken and implode from within; they are becoming anxious to once and for all deal with the (their) Jewish problem.

And so, the terrorists who are wreaking havoc almost daily are those who don’t have the patience to wait for a multi-nation Arab/Muslim coalition to accomplish the diabolical objectives of Islam … subjugation of all Jews and Christians and ultimately domination of the entire earth under an Islamic Caliphate (global government) controlled by their version of a messiah, the 12th Imam. Less than two years ago, Iran’s President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad—who was simply a puppet of the Ayatollah—publically declared that the Muslim Mahdi (messiah) would arrive only after Islam launched a holy war to defeat the infidels. And just a couple of weeks ago, a top Muslim cleric in Turkey announced that this Mahdi would set up the global Islamic Caliphate in Turkey itself. Such unity! Two non-Arab Muslim countries vying for national rights to be the messianic headquarters for an Arab Imam descended from Muhammad.

One can only wonder what Arab leaders think about these boastful claims. But it doesn’t matter what they think; because it won’t happen that way … not according to the Word of God. This (false) messiah—the Antichrist—is not a Muslim Imam, nor will there be a revival of the ancient Roman Empire. Rather, the one who would dare proclaim himself Messiah and God is none other than a revived Roman Emperor! For Biblical and historical evidence of the origin and actual identity of the Antichrist beast-king of Revelation, Daniel, and II Thessalonians please read Out of the Abyss … can the number of the beast be solved, 666? Or refer to the Eye of Prophecy series on the Antichrist, by clicking on the category of Antichrist. Then decide for yourself.

Paradoxically, the revolutionary mindset of certain segments of the Muslim population in certain Arab nations impatiently waiting for their national leaders/military to take on their sworn Jewish and Christian rivals, subsequently ignited the smoldering fire of individual rights against suppression and oppression by their own leaders, that resulted in what is now called the Arab Spring. The result: Toppling of governments in Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia, and possibly to come in Syria. Plus, major protests and demonstrations in Algeria, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, and Sudan.

We are bombarded with incessant rhetoric from Muslim nations and terrorist cells that call for the downfall of the United States and all Western nations that align themselves with anything that looks and acts like a democracy or republic. The killing of the two American journalists is an ultra-harsh reminder that they mean business. But that is not their ultimate goal.

According to several passages in the Bible, evidenced by the constant oratory of hate streaming from the mouths of Muslim presidents, prime ministers, imams, and leaders of terrorist groups alike, the overriding ambition of not just their leaders but the average Muslim in the average Muslim country is the utter destruction of Israel and annihilation of the Jews (everywhere, not just in Israel). And, along the way, Christians must also be eliminated.

Muslim impatience in reaching their avowed goal is yet another (strong) sign that the end is drawing near (see Psalms 2).

Recent Statements to Confirm the True Agenda of Islam and Muslims

Despite the heavy blow inflicted on Hamas by Israel during the recent 50-day war, Hamas remains defiant and pledges that there will be more fighting to come. In the following statement from Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, he divulges the true motive for their terrorist activities: “The value of this campaign is not in the opening of this crossing or that crossing, but in paving the way for the next phase of liberating Jerusalem and the land of Palestine. Today we are closer to Jerusalem.” Zuhri then chanted, “Khaybar, Khaybar al Yahood,” which means that Allah will return to expel or kill the Jews. Khaybar was a Jewish village north of Medina, Saudi Arabia, which Mohammed brutally conquered in 629 AD.

Lest you think this terrorist is speaking only for Hamas or other terrorist cells, a poll taken by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research shortly after the final cease-fire that appears to have ended the most recent conflict, produced the following results: Sixty-one percent of Palestinians would choose Hamas’ leader, Ismail Haniyeh for president, if Palestinian presidential elections were held today. Only 32% would vote for current President Mahmoud Abbas (of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank … the so-called moderate branch). In the aforementioned speech by Sami Abu Zuhri, a large nearby crowd cheered him on.

Do you see what’s happening here? The average Palestinian Arab now has an even stronger desire to follow Hamas, which is tantamount to support of Hamas’ objective to drive the Jews from Israel and to take over Jerusalem—which is clearly the capital of Israel going back at least 3000 years to King David. Jerusalem is mentioned hundreds of times in the Old and New Testament; not once in the Koran! If Muslims are going to argue right of supremacy and occupation based on the Koran, then why is Jerusalem not even found in the Koran? But then, another contemporary tactic of Muslim Arabs alongside of terrorism is to rewrite history or reinvent it. In other words: there’s only Muslim history, which is a counterfeit, copy-cat, Johnny-come-late religion thousands of years after Abraham and Moses, hundreds of years after Jesus Christ.

Sorry, sometimes I get a little irritated when it comes to an entire religion that claims a belated replacement superiority over the true and living God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and God’s appointed Messiah, who died for the sins of the world. But the day of reckoning will come for false religions and for all who reject their only hope of salvation in Messiah Jesus.

From an al-Qaeda source: “Israel is a legitimate target for Muslim militants all over.”

From the Islamic State (ISIS) we read one of their sworn objectives: “(the) Islamic State will do everything within its means to continue striking down every apostate who stands as an obstacle on its path towards Palestine.” Question: On its path to where? The answer is as clear as was the hideous beheading of the two American journalists through ISIS videos, the first committed by a British-born terrorist Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary nicknamed “Jihadi John.” The 2nd journalist killed was American but also a Jew.

It is Israel that ISIS really wants.

Another ISIS statement from the same English magazine publication, Dabig (aimed at young Muslims or anyone sympathetic to Islam in Western countries) that condemned the apathy and impotence of Arab States and other Muslim organizations to carry out, the will of Allah:

“Its (Islamic State) actions speak louder than its words and it is only a matter of time and patience before it reaches Palestine to fight the barbaric Jews and kill those of them hiding behind the gharqad trees—the trees of the Jews.” *Note: The call to kill Jews hiding behind trees is almost a direct quote from the Koran where it demands that the trees and rocks expose the Jews hiding there so they can be eliminated by faithful Muslims.

I beg to differ: It’s terrorists that cowardly hide behind woman and children. Did you catch the height of hypocrisy by calling the Jews barbaric … the same Jews/Israelis who gave ample humane warning to both Hamas and innocent Gazan civilians before attacking Hamas militants and weaponry; with Hamas sheltering themselves by hiding in civilian occupied mosques, schools, private residences, and other public buildings.

Another ISIS boast: “The first priority is to perform hijrah from wherever you are to the Islamic State. From the state of the infidel to the state of Islam.” The infidels are not only Jews; they are also Christians—who are almost as much a hated target of Muslim terrorists in particular and Muslim followers in general as are the Jews. Which is why Christians of certain ethnic communities in Iraq are being systematically robbed, beaten, raped, tortured, killed, or evicted from their homes, jobs, families, and friends. Still, the ultimate goal is to complete the Final Solution began by Adolph Hitler: genocidal extermination of the Jews and unlawful possession of the Land that God, himself, promised to the Jews.

As intimated in last week’s article, it’s unlikely that the divided house of Islamic terrorists, including and especially ISIS, will ever be unified enough to launch a coordinated series of strikes against Israel. But if they do, Israel’s leaders understand that they will receive no assistance from their neighbors, even though these neighbors are currently opposed to the more radical terrorists … Hamas and ISIS.

These are the words of IDF Brigadier General Zvika Fogel, retired commander of the IDF Southern Command: “The future is unclear, but we must prepare for the worst … the day on which the Islamic State to our north and Hamas to our south launch coordinated terrorist attacks against Israel. The Assad regime and Hezbollah, as well as Egypt and the Palestinian Authority will not defend us. They will stand on the side and protect their own interests. We must ready ourselves for this war, which we will have to win.”

As also mentioned in the previous Eye of Prophecy column, Hezbollah is fighting on the side of Assad against ISIS and other ultra-radical terrorists in Syria. It’s amazing that Syria or Hezbollah or Egypt or the PA would remotely think about backing Israel for any reason whatsoever, but that is the current state of affairs in the topsy-turvy Middle East. And I wonder how much, if any, assistance would be given to Israel even by the United States?

God’s Strategic Plan and Purpose

The Bible predicted this long ago, referring to Israel’s enemies: “O God, do not be silent! Do not be deaf. Do not be quiet, O God. Don’t you hear the uproar of your enemies? Don’t you see that your arrogant enemies are rising up? They devise crafty schemes against your people; they conspire against your precious ones. ‘Come,’ they say, ‘let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence’” (Psalms 83: 1-4).

Can these words be any clearer? The enemies of Israel are the enemies of God. Furthermore, the latter part of this chapter provides a graphic description of how God will deal with Israel’s foes; to judge wicked, ungodly Gentile nations or kingdoms that seek to destroy Israel.

Let’s read part of this divine retribution against those whose unrelenting ambition in life is to eradicate the Jewish race and usurp control over a land that does not belong to them:

“O my God, scatter them like tumbleweed, like chaff before the wind … chase them with your fierce storm; terrify them with your tempest. Utterly disgrace them until they submit to your name, O Lord. Let them be ashamed and terrified forever. Let them die in disgrace” (Psalms 83: 13-17, italics for emphasis). Such an appropriate choice of words written some twenty-seven hundred years ago (terrify and terrified), don’t you think. Such poetic justice, wouldn’t you say; that the terrorists of today will recoil in terror at the awesome power and judgment of Almighty God.

Although this passage was directed against mostly ethnic tribes and small kingdoms that were plotting against Israel at the time that the words were penned (during the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah), the conspiracy claims of wiping Israel from the face of the earth also apply to peoples and nations in today’s world that have made the same arrogant boasts against the Jews. These ancient tribes more closely resemble the contemporary sects of Islam, some of which have morphed into terrorists organizations. More on this next week.

God’s plan is that all those who seek Israel’s destruction will not go unpunished, will pay the price for their hatred of and violence against the Jews. They themselves will be terrified, but not by other ungodly nations or governments; rather by God’s people in conjunction with the righteousness and justice of a holy God who has sworn to establish the Jewish people in a land given to them thousands of years ago … a Promised Land that would be their home forever.

And what might be God’s overriding purpose in throwing terror back into the face of terrorists, of dealing with Gentile nations aligned against Israel in the same fashion that these nations have dealt (harshly) with Israel and the Jews? The last verse of the Psalm 83 passage answers that question: “Then they will learn that you alone are called the Lord, that you alone are the Most High, supreme over all the earth” (Psalms 83:18, italics for emphasis).

Not Allah, not the totalitarian state gods of fascism or communism, not the mythical gods of the Greeks and Romans, not the legions of false gods found in Hinduism, or the non-existent ethereal state of Nirvana boasted by Buddhism, nor any other god of any other religion or cult.

We are talking about the One and True Living God, the Creator of the Universe and all living things. He is I AM (Yahweh): The Everlasting One. He is El Shaddai: Almighty God. He is El Elyon: The Most High God.

And, do you know His Son’s name?

Things to Ponder

I believe Scripture is sufficiently clear that terrorist groups will not play a major role in the end-times scenario that unfolds during the seven-year Great Tribulation. Before the Rapture takes place that ushers in the Great Tribulation, terrorism will diminish in scope and size. Thus, ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah, al-Qaeda, and others like them will weaken significantly—through decimation by fighting each other; by absorption into the standing armies of some Muslim governments that subsidize them; from periodic blows inflicted on them by Israel or the United States and its allies; by other Muslim governments turning on the terrorists; or all of the above.

Ethnic rivalry, particularly those than spawn terrorism, is part of the preliminary birth pangs spoken of by Jesus, but not the final contractions. That will involve entire nations and their governments, Muslim or otherwise, assembled to take on Israel.

Next week we will examine the two final Gentile coalition attacks on Israel, both of which include entire nations and governments, not local, regional ethnic groups.

Stay tuned to next week’s article, the third in this trilogy on nations and terrorist groups aligned against Israel, for more evidence on how all this will unfold.

Last week’s article: A House Divided … will fall. This week’s post: The Reign of Terror … will end. Next week’s subject: Alliances against Israel … will fail.